Migration to urban centers across Texas continues at a breakneck pace, placing immense strain on systems such as water, housing, transportation, and energy while exacerbating inequality. Part of the solution to this is to build more regenerative cities, or places that diversify economies, reduce waste, prevent toxicity, and rebuild natural systems by keeping products and materials in use longer. Just as important as using these circular economy principles will be engaging with communities to make these changes equitably. In this project, a team will work with the City of Austin and residents to design community resilience hubs where people can go during disasters. The design will consider factors like green infrastructure, water conservation, solar or wind energy, and local food production, and they will serve as a model that can be implemented across Austin Texas to help reduce resource use, minimize pollution, and regenerate ecosystems.
